If the Glass Seems Half Empty

If the glass seems half empty, remember that it is also half full. Several years ago, while I was in the seminary, my roommate, Michaela, and I took our regular trip to the grocery store. Being a “self-supporting” grad school student, I knew that money was, well, tight. As such, nothing was ever wasted, especially food! One day, as we loaded the car with our treasures, I accidentally dropped a carton of blueberries.

All I could see was my tasty blueberries all over the parking lot. There goes my serving of fresh fruit! I thought. I felt completely deflated.

I could not afford to buy more. But then my roommate said something that would forever change the way I looked at life: “Tricia, look! You’ve still got a container full of blueberries left!” For me, what Michaela said was revolutionary.

I could choose how I perceived a situation.

I could focus either on what’s wrong —or on what’s right.

I could mourn over what’s lost or be thankful for what’s saved.

I could lament a mistake or rejoice over an accomplishment.

I choose how I see the world and my circumstances.

What I choose to focus on will either help propel me forward or keep me locked up in despair. During the course of my recovery from a recent medical issue, this lesson stuck with me. Yes, there were moments when my husband, Shawn, would have to gently pry me away from a frozen stare in the mirror as I unsuccessfully tried to dress my wounds, but a brief reminder —“my cup” was half full— always helped me to keep pushing forward. I have been learning that what we think about or how we view a situation or circumstance truly impacts not only recovery but life.

How crucial it is then to guard our thoughts.

We ought to be selective about what we allow our minds to dwell on and be intentional about how we think about our circumstances.

So how have you been perceiving your situation lately? No matter what it is, God is bigger!

Tricia (Wynn) Payne